How to Dragoon per Second: A DPS Paradigm

[Bloodborn8]

The only time I hold B4B in A3S is the second cycle in final phase for the hand since my group doesn't LB the second hand. Otherwise I just let it fly whenever it comes up. (Opener, right after 1st wash away, just before hand of pain, just after 2nd ferrofluid in lubricant phase, etc.)

[JackFross]

My group suggested using LB on the Equal Concentration check once and I immediately said no. I don't care if it helps see more of the fight; we've had 4 lockouts of A3S so far and are so far into gear that if we need LB for EC, we basically just need to get good. I refused to cheese past it with LB when we should be meeting it easily without. But I'm also a dick like that. :B

And yeah the main difference is you get 2 b4b during hand phase if you pop it on CD, you just miss the EC check. I'll be holding mine for it until I'm confident we can clear without it, which may be never so I dunno. I know it's not necessary, it's just much safer and I definitely recommend doing it unless each of your dps is over 1200-1300 through hop.

One extra b4b in an 11-12 minute fight won't make or break your dps, but it WILL make a difference. Of like. 1% or so.

[Aiurily]

eh, from my experience, its very difficult to try to get 2 fully optimized BFBs in hand phase. the 2nd one definitely won't be great; your CT/PH aren't going to tick fully before phase change on that BFB if i remember the timings right (bfb start, bfb after washaway>digititis, bfb comes up after hand of pain casts)

[Jin_Asanagi]

Can I get some opinion on my progression BiS ? That ridiculously high SS cringes me so I'm quite worried if there's a better progression build.
http://ffxiv.ariyala.com/RNCA
If it matters, my group is still tackling A3S. Thanks in advance !

[JackFross]

That set works just fine.

If, however, you're looking to drop some SS, swap the belt and neck for the opposite pieces.
http://puu.sh/kjJF1/453b22f808.png

It gains you about 3 effective strength over what you have, drops a bunch of SS, and gives you better Crit/Det scores.

This being what my sheet looks like with your current set:
http://puu.sh/kjJIj/3895735ba8.png


Also what's mentioned above about B4B even further backs the idea that it's probably optimal to just save it and drop a full opener on one hand for Equal Concentration. You'll still get 1 during adds phase and be just fine when last phase starts, most likely. Nothing after adds would really change much, I don't think? But I'm not that far yet, so I dunno!

[ReliaWylder]

This would be probably the best progression BIS while still working on A3S. http://ffxiv.ariyala.com/RNJH

[whiskeybravo]

Also what's mentioned above about B4B even further backs the idea that it's probably optimal to just save it and drop a full opener on one hand for Equal Concentration. You'll still get 1 during adds phase and be just fine when last phase starts, most likely. Nothing after adds would really change much, I don't think? But I'm not that far yet, so I dunno!

Nah, if you burn it during EC it won't be up until the last couple waves of adds so prolly better to hold that one for last phase.

Can I get some opinion on my progression BiS ? That ridiculously high SS cringes me so I'm quite worried if there's a better progression build.
http://ffxiv.ariyala.com/RNCA
If it matters, my group is still tackling A3S. Thanks in advance !

Yea, swap neck, belt and feet. Pretty nice stats: http://ffxiv.ariyala.com/RNJI

[ryuuken]

so I've got a few paths I can go, but just wanted to throw out the question and see what others think as well. also as a little background, I'm a monk main that recently switched to DRG for raiding purposes. this also unfortunately means I am 5 weeks of esoterics behind (i200 weapon and chest on monk).

so I picked up my esoterics chest piece, used the first twine on it, and that's all good. in one of the a3s kills though I managed to also get the Gordian pants. my luck has been pretty garbage since the start of alex savage, and I just see fending loot literally every week, so haven't obtained Gordian headpiece, or Gordian feet, which would be ideal pickups.

Currently using:

Antiquated Brionac
Prototype Head
210 Eso Chest
Gordian Gloves
Prototype Belt
Gordian Pants
Prototype Feet
Gordian Neck
Gordian Earrings
Prototype Wrist
Gordian Ring
Fabled(210) Eso Ring

Secondary stat distribution so far is pretty garbage, and I'm really low on skill speed.

The question is:

This week I will have exactly 495 esoterics at cap, and can use my next twine and pick up the eso helm, which would give me +9 str, and some much needed skill speed.

Do I pick up the helm and use a twine on it?

Or wait another week to get the esoterics to get the pants and use the twine on that. It would be an appropriate side-grade, but I just wasn't sure if it was worth doing since I have the Gordian pants currently. Hopefully this week sees head and/or feet drop for me, but I've given up expecting or hoping for drops, but just wanted some feedback from others to see what a good idea would be.

[Bloodborn8]

stuff

Personally, I have the i210 gordian pants and still use the i200 eso pants. In my opinion, the eso pants are just leagues better. I remember doing the math and even unupgraded, the eso pants outweigh the gordian pants for DPS. A lot of your problems seem to be high acc and low SKS, and the eso pants would solve that. It's what I'd do but there may be a mathematically better option (helm, feet, etc...)

[SunnyHirose]

Estimated DPS gain from esoterics head: 20.66247
Estimated DPS gain from esoterics belt: 18.16585
Estimated DPS gain from esoterics legs: 17.73386
Estimated DPS gain from esoterics head + belt: 38.91160

Because you already have 210 pants, it will be a while before esoterics legs give you the best DPS increase per tomestone.